Toyota Camry Atara SX (2011)

In brief

After its official unveiling in the US overnight, Toyota Australia took the wraps off its version of the seventh-generation Camry.

The car will be powered by a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that in US-trim puts out 133kW of power and 230Nm of torque. Despite the higher output, Toyota claims that fuel economy will improve by about 10 per cent. Power is sent to the front wheels via an also new six-speed automatic transmission.

Despite having similar dimensions to the outgoing car, Toyota claims that the body is 70kg lighter than before and that interior space has been increased. The pre-production vehicle on display at today's Australian reveal had its windows blacked out in order to keep local specifications under wraps.

The range

For the moment Toyota Australia is keeping tight-lipped on local features, but the range will kick off with the fleet-friendly Altise model, with a multi-tiered Atara line aimed at private buyers and user choosers.

The Atara SX seen here features a mesh grille, sportier bumpers, fog lights, blackened headlights, twin exhausts, an integrated boot-lip spoiler, paddle shifters for the automatic transmission, and a little more power and torque. Traction and stability control, brake assist and electric power steering are standard throughout the range.

North American Camrys can be ordered with heated seats with electric adjustment, dual-zone climate control, leather interior, rear-seat air vents, 10 airbags, heated mirrors and reversing camera. In the land of Dixie, high-grade models come fitted with Toyota's new Entune touchscreen entertainment and nav system, JBL audio, USB, Bluetooth and voice recognition.

Outlook

The new Camry will go on sale locally in late November 2011. Around that time full specifications and prices will be announced.

A hybrid version will be launched in Australia in Q1 2012. As with the current generation, local V6 Camrys will be badged as Aurions and feature a different front- and rear-end design shared with the as-yet unseen Asian Camry.